Leather weight recommendations needed

[Hilly]

I'm thinking of making a heavy luggage type of bag with wheels and a retractible handle to haul my "kitchen" stuff when I travel for work each spring. I usually use just an old duffel bag, but it's heavy and hard to haul up and down motel stairs. I carry stuff like a hot plate, kettle, electric skillet, cutting board, cutlery, spatulas, slotted spoon, silverware, spices, plates, a mixing bowl, and a few other things. The finished bag (inspired by another member here) would probably measure about 36x18x18, and the contents would probably weigh around 30 pounds. The very bottom would be reinforced with 1/4" plywood or similar. I would also like a heavy type of strap so I could carry it on a shoulder.

What weight leather would all you pros suggest I use? I want to use veg tan, and carve and tool the heck out of it!

[superchute]

hilly how about geting a big case at wall mart and add the leather to it

Russell

[bruce johnson]

Hilly,

I have done a few rodeo gear bags for guys entirely out of leather. These bags take a heck of a beating. I am attaching one that is 36''X18"x24", this kid wanted one bag to pack everything but his bronc saddle. I use about 10 oz for the side panels that are tooled. The body of the bag is made from 5/6 oz DiamondTan from Siegels. Compared to my old canvas and nylon bags, these weigh a ton. We have tried the single shoulder strap on smaller ones, the bags tend to collapse and make them hard to maneuver through narrow gates. Most of these kids now will use the handles like backpack straps. That makes them easier to maneuver and pack around.

You can buy all the hardware you need for retractable handles and wheels from Ohio Travel Bag. Attaching it and puttoing the whole thing together will take some planning. I had someone ask me a few years ago to make them a custom bowling ball carrier with wheels and the handle. When we put the price tag to it, they went with an off the rack wheeled bag and had a leather overlay made up and sewn on.

[Hilly]

hilly how about geting a big case at wall mart and add the leather to it

Russell

What kind of "case" are you referring to? I was thinking something along this line: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=2153 so that there would be no cover to slip off, and dump the contents.

[Hilly]

Hilly,

I have done a few rodeo gear bags for guys entirely out of leather. These bags take a heck of a beating. I am attaching one that is 36''X18"x24", this kid wanted one bag to pack everything but his bronc saddle. I use about 10 oz for the side panels that are tooled. The body of the bag is made from 5/6 oz DiamondTan from Siegels. Compared to my old canvas and nylon bags, these weigh a ton. We have tried the single shoulder strap on smaller ones, the bags tend to collapse and make them hard to maneuver through narrow gates. Most of these kids now will use the handles like backpack straps. That makes them easier to maneuver and pack around.

You can buy all the hardware you need for retractable handles and wheels from Ohio Travel Bag. Attaching it and puttoing the whole thing together will take some planning. I had someone ask me a few years ago to make them a custom bowling ball carrier with wheels and the handle. When we put the price tag to it, they went with an off the rack wheeled bag and had a leather overlay made up and sewn on.

That's a very nice bag, Bruce! I do want a bag that will take a lot of abuse. It will be thrown in a van with luggage from about 8 other people, and probably just shoved in and yanked out again. Okay, let's forget the shoulder strap, but put a heavy weight handle on both ends. It should hold up for what I need, and if it has a plywood bottom in it, it shouldn't buckle, should it?

I thought this style of bag would suit my needs quite well, though I don't belive I'd wanna do all that lacing! I'd be stitching in stead. I really like the way the top pieces lap over one another and the way they fasten is really neat. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=2153 How do you think this would be to make from 10oz. veg? Do you think it would be too stiff to fold over nice like that?

I don't have enough experience to attempt something like this yet. Leather is so expensive! But maybe a year from now I'll feel differently. I'm just planning for now, so I can work up a pattern in time, and have a plan of action ready. In the mean time, I can learn how to make some heavy duty handles for the ends, and collect the hardware, etc.

There's a few handles in "Making Leather Cases" vol. II I've been eyeballing....

I already bookmarked the Ohio Travel Bag site

[superchute]

was thinking about a large suit case that would have the wheels and the handle all ready on it

Russell

[Hilly]

was thinking about a large suit case that would have the wheels and the handle all ready on it

Russell

Hmmmm. I'll have to check out the luggage next time I go to Walmart. I've never really looked to see what was available. Thanks for the suggestion.